Current Focus:

Issues in Brief

Recent police statistics show an 11% increase in property crime and a 21%
increase in robberies. Resources need to be devoted to addressing this shift.
If we are going to stop criminal behaviour of this magnitude, we are all going
to have to learn to be tougher on both crime and its causes. Those who break
the law need to know that there will be consequences for such actions, and
that they will be swift and consistent.

Youth drug use continues to be a concern as well. There have been reports
of drugs being sold on a public sidewalk near a local high school in plain
view of several residents. David supports DARE initiatives throughout Edmonton
and continues to champion the importance of programs aimed at youth drug
prevention. Governments have a role to play in working with communities to
develop locally based solutions to these types of problems.

Recently released statistics from the Worker’s Compensation Board
indicate that the number of recorded violent acts against Alberta police
officers has jumped from just 50 in 2002 to 85 in 2003. The most tragic
example of this was the shooting death of RCMP Cpl. Jim Galloway in February.
In early April, another police officer narrowly escaped death after being shot
at by a suspected car thief. It must be made clear, through words and actions,
that it is unacceptable to attack those who are responsible for maintaining
our safe communities.

David remains committed to the Canada Health Act and its key principles: a
system that is public, comprehensive, universal, portable and accessible.
Canadians and Albertans have stated time and time again that our health care
system is one of our best institutions, and we must work within its framework
to provide innovative solutions to emerging healthcare problems.

Paul Martin has committed to establishing, with the help of the provinces,
a set of maximum wait times for medical procedures in Canada. Already, $2
billion has been delivered in the recent budget to the provinces to help them
address their most dire needs. There is no doubt that the Canadian health care
system requires reassessment from time to time, but David believes we should
continue to look for innovative strategies that will allow us to maintain and
enhance the universal, public and accessible care system that Canadians favour.

Public servants at every level must be held accountable for their actions
and inactions, especially when it comes to issues of public safety and
financial responsibility. David has a long record of speaking out on these
issues:

“Corruption and Cover-up:" In April 2004, David appeared
on the CTV news program W-5 to speak out against the treatment of the RCMP
and Immigration officers who tried to address serious problems uncovered
at the Canadian High Commission in Hong Kong.

Protection for whistleblowers: David is working with public
watchdog groups to make sure that the new whistle blowing legislation
effectively protects public servants who speak out about corruption and
misuse of public funds.

Global corruption: As Secretary of State, David spoke out about
corruption in forums around the world. David is a founding member of the
Canadian branch of Parliamentarians for Global Action, a worldwide network
of parliamentarians committed to combating corruption.